The Success and Downfall of “Legal High” in Japan’s Underground Culture

You’re standing at the edge of Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya district, the neon lights casting surreal shadows on the pavement. Behind the glamour, there’s another world—an underground culture where synthetic drugs, once sold as “legal highs,” reigned supreme. But what happens when something “legal” turns into one of Japan’s most infamous public health crises?

The rise of legal highs started in Japan with one promise: to deliver the euphoric sensations of illegal substances without the legal consequences. Sold as herbal incense, bath salts, or research chemicals, these substances were carefully crafted to stay one step ahead of the law. Users, many of them young professionals or students, sought these products for their mind-altering effects without fearing legal repercussions. The appeal was simple: thrill without punishment.

But the story didn’t end there. These so-called legal substances were anything but safe. The synthetic compounds often had unpredictable and dangerous effects on users, leading to hospitalizations, accidents, and even death. The turning point came in 2014 when a man under the influence of a “legal high” crashed his car into pedestrians in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district, resulting in multiple casualties. The public outcry was immediate and overwhelming.

The government responded swiftly. A series of crackdowns followed, banning hundreds of chemicals and closing down stores that sold them. But the underground market was relentless. New variants of these drugs kept emerging, always staying just ahead of the legislation. And so, a cat-and-mouse game began between drug manufacturers and the authorities.

In time, the government’s aggressive stance began to take effect. The arrests piled up, and the culture surrounding legal highs began to shift. People started realizing that the risks far outweighed the rewards. Many of those who once championed the movement began speaking out against it, warning others about the dangers they had faced.

So, what remains today of this once-thriving underground scene? While the government’s actions have largely curtailed the use of legal highs, the market for synthetic drugs hasn’t completely disappeared. Instead, it’s evolved. Manufacturers continue to create new substances, pushing the boundaries of legality and safety. However, the days of blatant open sales are long gone.

What’s left is a cautionary tale for any country dealing with the delicate balance of drug legislation. Japan’s struggle with legal highs serves as a stark reminder of how quickly the line between legal and illegal can blur—and the devastating consequences that can follow.